Press Release

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Francisco Rodriguez today issued the following statement regarding the resolution of his grievance against the New York Mets:

"As I have expressed in the past, I deeply regret the incident that occurred on Aug. 11, 2010. I sincerely apologize to Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz, Mets fans, my teammates, and the entire Mets organization. I have worked hard since the incident to make myself a better person and member of this organization. I have been participating in an anger-management program since August, and I will continue in the program for the foreseeable future. I feel that anger management counseling is undoubtedly making me a better person and a better father, and will make me a better teammate and member of this great organization.

"I am responsible for my injury that occurred as a result of this incident, and prevented me from finishing the season with the Mets. As a result, I have instructed the Major League Baseball Players Association not to pursue the issue raised in the grievance regarding payment of my salary during the time that I was injured. Personally, in this situation, I do not feel that it is right for me to take a salary for the period of time in which I could not contribute as a player as a result of my off-field actions. In addition, I am directing each of my $100,000 annual charitable contributions to New York metropolitan-area charities that further the purposes of the New York Mets Foundation.

"I appreciate the faith and support that this organization has shown me throughout this matter. I look forward to being a part of the 2011 Mets and hopefully beyond. I want to put these issues behind me, and behind this organization and its fans. I have instructed my attorneys to work toward amicably resolving the other legal matters resulting from this incident. I want my focus to be on my family, my team and being the best closer in baseball in 2011."